Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek -- Translations into English
myself contrary to the opinion which some hold about the property of
Nicophemus, both because of the present scarcity of money in the state,
and because the suit concerns the treasury. And yet under these
disadvantages, you will readily see that the accusations are not true.
And I beg you by every means in my power to hear me favorably to the
close, and to vote whatever you think best and in best accord with your
oaths.
12. In the first place I will inform you how they came to be connections
of mine. For Conon, commanding near the Peloponnesus, who was my father's
friend when he was Trierarch, asked him to give my sister to the son of
Nicophemus when he asked her hand. 13. And he seeing that they
(_Nicophemus and his son_) were trusted by Conon, and were
serviceable to the state, then at least conforming to her laws, promised
to give her, not realizing the bad repute into which they would fall, at
a time when any one of you would have wished to be connected with them;
that it was (done) for the sake of money, it is easy to understand from
the whole life and conduct of my father. 14. For when he was at a
suitable age, although he could have married another with a large dowry,
he married my mother who brought none, because she was the daughter of
Xenophon, son of Euripides, who not only seemed to be of good character,
but you thought him worthy to be Strategus, as I hear. 15. Moreover he
did not give my sisters to rich husbands who would have been willing to
take them without dowries, because they seemed to be of inferior birth,
but one to Philomelus of Paeania, whom they say is better in character
than wealth, another to a man who lost his property through no fault of
his own, his nephew, Phaidrus of Murrhinoute, besides giving him forty
minae, and the same to Aristophanes. 16. And besides, though I could have
(married a woman with) a large dowry, be advised a smaller one, that I
might be sure of having connections orderly and discreet. And now my wife
is the daughter of Critodemus of Alopeke, who was put to death by the
Spartans after the naval battle of the Hellespont. 17. And now, gentlemen
of the jury, is it not probable that one who married without a portion,
and gave his daughter much money, and took a small dowry for his son,
should be trusted to have sought connection with these men for no money
considerations?
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